Good Things from Lemonada

A year ago, North Carolina experienced one of the worst storms in history when Hurricane Helene hit. As a result of the historic rainfall, several rivers in the region overflowed, causing major destruction and over a hundred deaths. Two council members in North Carolina have been at the forefront of helping rebuild their communities from the ground up. Councilwoman Maggie Ullman and Councilman Anthony Sutton join us to discuss their response both during the hurricane and its aftermath, including their efforts to secure more recovery funds from D.C. and ensure their towns can rebuild stronger, giving them a fighting chance during hurricane season.  This episode is presented by America Wins With Water. From the pipes, plants, and pools to the streams, lakes, and rivers that connect our 50 states, protecting and investing in water is all about protecting and investing in America. Learn more at americawinswithwater.org. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

America is experiencing a maternal health crisis. We are witnessing the worst maternal death rate for Black mothers amongst developed nations. Shawnee Gibson is ensuring we don't forget the women behind the numbers. She lost her daughter to a pulmonary embolism a few weeks after giving birth and has been fighting for reproductive justice with her organization, The ARIAH Foundation. She joins Danielle Atkinson, founder of Mothering Justice, to talk about the “In Her Honor Project,” a series of portraits featuring women who have died due to maternal health complications. This episode is presented by Mothering Justice, a grassroots policy advocacy organization that provides mothers of color in America with the resources and tools to use their power to make equitable changes in policy. Learn more and get involved at motheringjustice.org.  Thank you to The ARIAH Foundation, whose mission is to support individuals, families, and communities who experience the devastating aftershock associated with maternal/infant morbidity and mortality. For more information, visit theariahfoundation.org.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After wildfires razed Los Angeles neighborhoods at the start of this year, the city was reeling. Repair the World, a Jewish service organization, mobilized hundreds of people to support wildfire relief efforts. They also launched a service corps specifically focused on assisting wildfire victims. In this episode, we’ll hear from Cindy Greenberg, CEO of Repair the World, and Michael Auerbach, who oversees their Los Angeles programs. You’ll also hear stories from volunteers on the ground, who show us that the power of service is in all of us.  This episode is created in partnership with Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies. Special thank you to Repair the World. Learn more about their work by visiting https://werepair.org/.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we're sharing an episode of Giving Done Right, a podcast from the Center for Effective Philanthropy about how to make an impact with your charitable giving. Shifts in federal policy and funding have profoundly impacted the nonprofit sector, and it has never been more urgent that donors act decisively and wisely. You’ll hear from experts across the social sector who shed light on the rapidly shifting landscape of need and the crucial, but complex, role of charitable giving in filling critical gaps. In this episode, Mark Suzman, CEO of the Gates Foundation discusses why the dismantling of USAID has created the most profound crisis in international development in decades, threatening to reverse years of progress in public health globally. And he offers advice to donors on making a difference in large-scale, global efforts. You can listen to more Giving Done Right at https://link.mgln.ai/goodthingsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For decades, the story of religion in America has been the story of decline. A steadily growing share of Americans have been identifying as “nones” – people with no religious affiliation. But a new report from the Pew Research Center shows something surprising. That number of “nones” has plateaued. What could be behind it – and is it a sign of bigger things to come? We’re joined by Greg Smith, senior researcher at Pew Research Center, and Ed Stetzer, theology dean at Biola University, to explore this trend.  Thank you to Pew Research Center for making today’s conversation possible.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Bright Spots - a new series from Lemonada that offers bite-sized stories of community impact that will leave you feeling inspired and hopeful about what is possible. Today, we’re turning our attention to the foster care system. In Oklahoma, the Office of Family Representation ensures every parent dealing with a child welfare case has access to a strong legal defense. We talk to executive director Gwendolyn Clegg about how OFR got started and how their work supports families in Oklahoma.  This episode is created in partnership with Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies. Special thank you to Gwendolyn Clegg and the Oklahoma Office of Family Representation. Learn more at https://www.oklahomafamilyrepresentation.org/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

North Carolina has one of the biggest rural populations in the country, but for a long time, the needs of rural North Carolinians were largely ignored – until Down Home North Carolina came along in 2017. Since then, the grassroots nonprofit has changed the conversation to center the needs of rural people. Host Maya Rupert talks to Down Home Co-Directors Dreama Caldwell and Todd Zimmer about what it takes to build multiracial political power among the working class, and why it’s the only way to get their needs met and bring about lasting change. This episode is presented by the Marguerite Casey Foundation. MCF supports leaders who work to shift the balance of power in their communities toward working people and families, and who have the vision and capacity for building a truly representative economy. Learn more at caseygrants.org or visit on social media @caseygrants.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the federal government has been making unprecedented funding cuts, many communities are facing more uncertainty and less support. In response, the Marguerite Casey Foundation is making a bold move: they’re distributing $130 million this year to organizations working for racial and economic justice. In this episode, Carmen Rojas, the foundation’s president and CEO, gets into the reasons behind the move, which organizations will benefit and how this funding aims to fill critical gaps. This episode is presented by the Marguerite Casey Foundation. MCF supports leaders who work to shift the balance of power in their communities toward working people and families, and who have the vision and capacity for building a truly representative economy. Learn more at caseygrants.org or visit on social media @caseygrants.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gun violence in America is at a crisis point. It’s now the number one killer of kids and teens – a stat that should make us all pause. But instead of throwing up their hands, healthcare leaders, gun violence survivors, physicians, community members and faith leaders are doing something about it. In this episode, we’re diving into Northwell Health’s groundbreaking Gun Violence Prevention Forum, where they’re treating it as the true public health emergency that it is and elevating the conversation around safe firearm storage and gun violence prevention.  This episode is presented by Northwell Health. To learn more, visit preventgunviolence.com/resources. You can also check out agreetoagree.org.  If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, use a safe computer and contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at www.thehotline.org or call 1-800-799-7233. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The rent is too damn high, housing quality standards are far too low, and Tara Raghuveer is doing something about it. Tara is director of Kansas City Tenants, a tenant union which organizes to ensure that everyone in KC has a safe, accessible, and truly affordable home. In this powerful conversation with host Gloria Riviera, Tara explains how the union of more than 10,000 members is fighting against our country’s dysfunctional housing market and standing up for what they truly deserve. This episode is presented by the Marguerite Casey Foundation. MCF supports leaders who work to shift the balance of power in their communities toward working people and families, and who have the vision and capacity for building a truly representative economy. Learn more at caseygrants.org or visit on social media @caseygrants.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is it time to rethink how we do school? In 2022, over 2 million students between the ages of 16 and 24 left school without earning a high school diploma or GED. But what if we could change that by taking an innovative approach to education? In part three of our three-part series about helping young people thrive economically within safe communities, Allison Gerber (The Annie E. Casey Foundation) and Betsy Delgado (Goodwill Excel Center) join us for a conversation about how education doesn't have to be one-size-fits-all. Together, they’ll provide a look at the unique journeys of many students today and the tools they need to continue their education and thrive. Driving home the point that investing in student success matters for all of us, they show us the importance of alternative learning models. This episode was made possible with support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, an organization that develops solutions to build a brighter future for children, youth, families and communities. Learn more at aecf.org. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Does the key to preventing gun violence lie within our own communities? In this episode, guests DeVone Boggan (Executive Director, Advance Peace) and Timmeka Perkins (Senior Associate, The Annie E. Casey Foundation) share the data about the power of credible messengers to transform neighborhood safety. In part two of our three-part series about helping young people thrive economically within safe communities, we are diving into data-driven strategies that effectively reduce violence and help entire neighborhoods flourish. This episode was made possible with support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, an organization that develops solutions to build a brighter future for children, youth, families and communities. Learn more at aecf.org. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when an award-winning actress, producer, director, author, and activist uses her platform to shine a light on the criminal justice system? Kerry Washington's recent projects, UnPrisoned and Daughters, tell stories of incarceration, family separation, unification, and love that we rarely get to see. In our conversation, she explains how portraying a daughter navigating her father's return from prison transformed her understanding of reentry and gets personal about how the system has impacted her own family. You can check out Unprisoned on Hulu and stream Daughters on Netflix. Follow When it Clicked wherever you get your podcasts, or listen ad-free on Amazon Music with your Prime Membership. Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Want to become a Lemonada superfan? Join us at joinsubtext.com/lemonadasuperfan. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and all other Lemonada series: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors. To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Baltimore, young people are finding ways to create their own economic opportunities through entrepreneurship. Dr. Ron Williams (Coppin State University) and Sara Cooper (The Annie E. Casey Foundation) join us to dig into research about youth entrepreneurship in Baltimore and show how community collaborations  like the Baltimore-based Excellence in Entrepreneurial Learning (EXCEL) Research Project are creating pathways to success. This conversation kicks off our three-part series about helping young people thrive economically within safe communities. We'll explore how, with the right support, these young entrepreneurs are reshaping Baltimore's future. For more insights on Baltimore's workforce development landscape, check out Annie E. Casey Foundation's 2017 comprehensive analysis of the city's workforce system and their 2024 collaboration with Coppin State University examining entrepreneurship training opportunities for Baltimore's youth and young adults. This episode was made possible with support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, an organization that develops solutions to build a brighter future for children, youth, families and communities. Learn more at aecf.org. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it mean to be smart on crime? Jeanne Woodford, former warden at San Quentin State prison, has been a longtime advocate for rehabilitation. In our conversation, she offers a new vision of what prisons could look like, from removing prison cells to providing opportunities for incarcerated people to garden, take college courses, and even play chess with correctional officers.  Follow When it Clicked wherever you get your podcasts, or listen ad-free on Amazon Music with your Prime Membership. Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Want to become a Lemonada superfan? Join us at joinsubtext.com/lemonadasuperfan. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and all other Lemonada series: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors. To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Illinois, like in other places affected by the War on Drugs, many people are feeling the impacts of incarceration and its negative, prohibitive effects on their futures. In this episode, Richard Wallace, founder of the organization Equity and Transformation (EAT), shares how guaranteed income has proven to be a transformative tool for this kind of systemic disruption. EAT is built on a reparations framework, providing direct cash support for recipients and leading directly to new employment, decreased recidivism, and a whole new form of community — all while setting a precedent for other municipalities to do the same. This episode is presented by the Marguerite Casey Foundation. MCF supports leaders who work to shift the balance of power in their communities toward working people and families, and who have the vision and capacity for building a truly representative economy. Learn more at caseygrants.org or visit on social media @caseygrants.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when we give someone a second chance? For Glenn Dahl, it led to Dave's Killer Bread, a family business success story that not only revolutionized bread, but also changed how companies think about second chance hiring. Glenn, the former CEO, opens up about taking a chance on his brother Dave after his release from prison, and continuing to take a groundbreaking approach to hiring people with criminal records. To learn more about second chance hiring, you can check out The Responsible Business Initiative for Justice at rbij.org, as well as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s website for resources on the benefits ​​of hiring formerly incarcerated individuals and an employer guide to tax credits and programs.  Follow When it Clicked wherever you get your podcasts, or listen ad-free on Amazon Music with your Prime Membership. Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Want to become a Lemonada superfan? Join us at joinsubtext.com/lemonadasuperfan. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and all other Lemonada series: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors. To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The juvenile court system in Pierce County, Washington recognizes that most youth who get in trouble with the law can get back on track without incarceration. And they're more likely to thrive in their own communities than in detention. Kevin Williams, Manager of Probation Services for Pierce County Juvenile Court, and Steve Bishop, Associate Director for Probation and System Transformation at the Annie E. Casey Foundation, talk with host Maya Rupert about what probation transformation looks like in action. And how accountability through relationships with community members is what builds and promotes long-term community safety. This episode was made possible with support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, an organization that develops solutions to build a brighter future for children, youth, families and communities. Learn more at aecf.org.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when the criminal justice system invests in education instead of punishment? Larry Miller is the Chairman of the Jordan Brand Advisory Board and played a pivotal role in the brand’s growth. Yet behind his success was a secret – at age 16, he was convicted of second degree murder, which he shares in his book, “Jump: My Secret Journey from the Streets to the Boardroom.” For Larry, it was education in prison that changed his life's trajectory, giving him the chance to earn a college degree, build a successful career, and challenge assumptions about what formerly incarcerated people can achieve.   To learn more about Larry's story, check out his book, Jump: My Secret Journey from the Streets to the Boardroom Follow When it Clicked wherever you get your podcasts, or listen ad-free on Amazon Music with your Prime Membership. Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Want to become a Lemonada superfan? Join us at joinsubtext.com/lemonadasuperfan. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and all other Lemonada series: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors. To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Bishop used to be a youth probation officer. He wanted to help young people navigate out of a juvenile justice system he knew was flawed. Now, as the Associate Director for Probation and System Transformation at the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Steve works to transform youth probation systems around the country – from one that punishes making mistakes in ways that leave young people worse off and neighborhoods less safe to one that holds kids accountable for their actions by steering them toward the guidance and support that can help them grow into responsible adults. In this eye-opening conversation with host Maya Rupert, Steve talks about how we can create a more just and restorative system that’s steeped in relationships, trust, and community. This episode was made possible with support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, an organization that develops solutions to build a brighter future for children, youth, families and communities. Learn more at aecf.org.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.